Strawberry queen picked

July 12, 2013

Kaitlyn Hietala, a 2013 graduate of Chassell High School, was crowned 2013 Strawberry Queen Friday night in Chassell among a field of 12 candidates. Hietala, daughter of Brian and Sue Hietala, was sponsored by Chassell Friends of Fashion. The co-valedictorian at Chassell was also class president, band member, co-captain of the Panthers volleyball team and garnered All-U.P. honors in pole vault. She will attend Michigan Technological University to pursue a bachelor's degree in Business Management and Marketing or Communications.

First, second and third runners-up were Rachel Chard, Izzabella Irwin and Allison Berryman. Miss Congeniality was Julia Coon, and Miss Photogenic was Molly Mauno.

Other awards given out Friday night include the Citizen of the Year to Luanne Hamel, Youth Citizen of the Year to Jamie Dompier and Outstanding Strawberry Grower to Crane Berry Farm. Walter Kuntze was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellow award from Lions International for 50 years of service to the Chassell Lions Club.

Article Photos

Daily Mining Gazette/Stephen Anderson

For more photos, visit cu.mininggazette.com, and for more information about Copper Country Strawberry Festival, including a full schedule of events, visit coppercountrystrawberryfestival.com.